MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
4.7.2006
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Luisa Morgantini, Esko Seppänen, Marco Rizzo,
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on Somalia
B6‑0405/06
European Parliament resolution on Somalia
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on Somalia,
- having regard to Rule 115 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. concerned about the continuous conflict between rival clans in Somalia, which since many years, have caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and a massive exodus of refugees to neighbouring countries,
B. whereas the political, social, economic and humanitarian situation in Somalia calls for particular and sustained attention from the international community, especially the European Union, in order to promote the peace process, the transitional institutions, and the restoration and reconstruction of the country,
C. whereas the Transitional Federal Charter was adopted in February 2004 by the Somali National Reconciliation Conference , according to which the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFI) were established and on 26 February 2006 and the first session of Somali Transitional Federal Parliament was held in Baidoa,
D. whereas more than 350 people were killed and more than a thousand were wounded in the fights that took place during the past few months, and after which on 14 June 2006 the Islamic Courts Union militias seized control of Jowha, north of Mogadishu,
E deeply concerned by the persistent instability in Somalia and its disastrous impact on the population and humanitarian situation as well as the country's social and economic development,
F. whereas according to UN report Somalia sustains from the worst, most devastating drought in a decade, which has pushed 1,7 million people in the Horn of African country needing food aid deeper into poverty, and there is a great risk of malnutrition,
G. whereas the security conditions in some parts of Somalia continue to be a serious concern, with no clear local authority in many areas that could control the activities of bandits and sea pirates, which makes efforts to dispense food and other aid extremely difficult,
1. Condemns the recent outbreaks of fighting in various parts of Somalia and calls upon all the Somali parties to exercise maximum restraint;
2. Takes note that the agreement between the representatives of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Islamic Courts Union (ICU) was reached on June 22 in Khartoum to cease hostilities in the country; urges both parties to implement the agreement;
3. Calls upon the Somali authorities to continue in further talks, which are scheduled for July 15, and calls all the engaged to refrain from using violence, making inflammatory statements and to find a peaceful and democratic solution to the political situation in Somalia in the interest of the Somali civilian population,
4. Demands all the parties concerned show full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law,
5. Calls on the Commission in liaison with the UN agencies to step up its humanitarian aid to implement aid and rehabilitation programmes,
6. Calls on the Council, the Member States and the Commission to take appropriate measures to support the Somali population in its desire for peace and democracy,
7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the government of Somalia.